Waitrose sees Facebook backlash for selling broccoli linked to biotech company Monsanto
Waitrose sees Facebook backlash for selling broccoli linked to biotechSupermarket chain Waitrose is facing a backlash on Facebook for stocking Bellaverde sweet stem broccoli, created by biotech company Monsanto’s subsidiary, Seminis.
While the Bellaverde broccoli is not genetically modified, many have complained through social media about the supermarket’s decision to sell a product linked to Monsanto, which is involved in developing GM crops.
One comment left on the Facebook page was: “You sell Bellaverde broccoli and/or Dulce Verde lettuce. These come from Monsanto’s vegetable company, Seminis. Monsanto is the world’s largest GMO company in the world. I do not agree with GMO or the criminal actions of Monsanto, and therefore am requesting that you refuse to stock these products as of today. Please let me know your decision.”
Another was: “Unless you are willing to cut all ties with the makers of Agent Orange I am unwilling to continue giving my money to Waitrose when your ethics as a Co-op are now called into question. Drop the human rights abuser before a large portion of your customer base drop you!”
Waitrose has said in reply: “Thank you all for your comments about Bellaverde sweet stem broccoli. As we stated yesterday, this broccoli is grown from conventionally bred seed sold by Seminis, who supply numerous growers, both large and small, in this country and around the world. While Seminis is a subsidiary of Monsanto, it uses traditional plant-breeding techniques. This is entirely in keeping with our policy of not allowing any GM ingredients in our own-label food. Conventionally-bred Bellaverde sweet stem broccoli offers excellent growing qualities to our farmers and superb flavour and value for our customers.
“We completely understand the strength of your views and do value all customer feedback. We will be passing all comments to our buying team.”
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Waitrose's response doesn't address the claim that they are still in business with a GMO company (Monsanto), be it indirectly or otherwise. Surely the issue here is that Waitrose have dealings with a company linked to a GMO company. There MUST be other suppliers out there who are not affiliated to GM foods.
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Tenderstem doesn't appear to be Monsanto, and Waitrose sells that. It's a very easy switch to make. UK people don't want Monsanto in their country, and so they shouldn't be sneaking into our veggies!!!
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I agree, but it's more than that. Monsanto are buying up every single seed company it can get its hands on in order to achieve a monopoly, after which, if they succeed, they will be able to sell any kinds of seeds they like, and we will be forced to buy them, or starve.
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I'm thankful for the information about Bellaverde Broccoli being sold at Waitrose, and very sorry to read such a feeble excuse by them. Waitrose is a store that I use often, I choose carefully when the food the have on offer comes from and reject a number of the products, will add this one to my list.
My concern with Monsanto is that the company was also, along with others such as Dow Chemical manufactured Agent Orange and Napalm, used with horrific consequences on Vietnam for ten-years.
For readers to know more, can I ask them to go to: www.aoag.org
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@lenal13633 get better infomed before writing
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I wouldn't buy anything whatsoever related to Monsanto. I suggest you visit the 'Agent Orange Action Group' at aoag.org to learn more. Monsanto is an evil ruthless company!
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Bellaverde may not be GM, but it is a flagship Monsanto food product. We do not want the world's largest GM food company, the one voted as the Worst Company of 2011 by Natural Society, to be getting any money from us at all.
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I do not want to give Monsanto a penny, even if it is through an organic subsidiary, or sister, or shell company. And, if it gets down to it, I will grow my own with heirloom seeds, which I have been stock piling. They are not getting my money - ever.
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It is the Monsanto association that has enraged so many, not the product. Unfortunately Waitrose have now decided to edit all the comments (down from 115 early this morning to just 70 a few minutes ago) and have banned some activists from commenting altogether. This has the potential to be another PR disaster, like the Nestle fiasco all over again. It's also interesting, and probably symptomatic of the demographic that all the vitriol is on their Facebook page rather than on Twitter for example!
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@thegr19797 There are a lot of negative tweets about Waitrose now appearing on the #Waitrose Twitter page too!
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I want America to follow the U.K. 's example.
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I cant find their page on FB, I'm fuming about this, and will be printing off notes to be put on their shelves if I see bella verde brocolli or bella verde lettuce. The people have a right to know!!!
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Seminis's supplier number is: 206AEE, so look out for their supplier number as they dont actually put the name of the supplier on their packaging!! I have boycotted ALL of this suppliers products, and I read all labels now. I am disgusted with Waitrose, I went over to them as I thought thay they were ethical. This is support for Monsanto albeit by a different door, but support all the same!
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